A road less travelled: Using experience based co-design to map children’s and families’ emotional journey following burn injury and identify service improvements

Coy, K.; Brock, P.; Pomeroy, S.; Cadogan, J.; Beckett, Kate

Abstract

Abstract

Background
The emotional impact after a child’s burn injury is poorly understood. Greater insight into the emotional journey can aid services’ ability to meet patients/families’ needs. To bridge the gap, this study employed an abbreviated form of Experience Based Co-Design (EBCD) to explore the emotional/experiential aspects of moderate to severe burn injuries in children.

Method
Following EBCD, parents and health professionals were invited to share their experiences. Interviews were analysed and a short film was produced and shown at a focus group event for health professionals and families. Both positive and negative aspects of the journey were identified along with potential service improvements.

Results
Families’ journeys could be described by the following five distinct phases: life overturned, dawning reality, riding the emotional roller-coaster, aftershocks and, adapting to a new normal. Key areas for improvements were: communication, isolation, dressing changes and managing expectations.

Discussion
EBCD facilitated collaborative discussion between researchers, families and health professionals. Families felt empowered to shape the future of burn care and health professionals felt included. Study challenges were mainly in participant engagement and the scheduling of interviews and the focus event. Overall the study outcome was successful in generating ideas for service improvements, and the production of a training video for healthcare professionals.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 12, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 6, 2019
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2019
• Journal: Burns
• Print ISSN: 0305-4179
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1848-1855
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2019.07.024
• Keywords: Children’s burns, Emotional impact, Service improvement
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1930135